MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia is taking a new approach to teacher recruitment.

A new two-year relocation program, Teachers Ascend into West Virginia is calling for educators across the country to move to the Mountain State and receive incentives to teach in select K-12 schools.

Based at West Virginia University, applications are being accepted now for the first-of-its-kind national effort.

Program recruits will receive a $6,000 stipend with the opportunity to obtain an additional $4,050 in tuition assistance through the WVU College of Applied Human Sciences for those continuing their education.

West Virginia Public Education Collaborative Director Donna Peduto said those at WVPEC put their heads together to get the program started as a response to the ongoing teacher shortage.

“The board was meeting and we wanted to help with the teacher shortage in some way, we work very closely with the West Virginia Department of Education, and we thought there would be some way to help them,” Peduto said.

Peduto said the successful remote worker program, Ascend WV provides a blueprint for the new initiative. That program was started a couple of years ago by former Intuit CEO and Marshall University President Brad Smith and his wife Alys Smith that offers incentives to people to come and work remotely in the state.

She said after some debate, they finally agreed that the idea just might work in applying it to teachers as well.

“At first it seemed like it would be difficult to do because of course as teachers can’t work remotely like the original Ascend can, and you know, there were different incentives and that kind of thing, but we all saw a glimmer of hope in it and we just started to plan it,” she said.

So far, Peduto said they have received a positive response from teachers across the nation. She said they have received three dozen applications so far from teachers from 15 states.

In addition to the incentives, Peduto said the teachers joining the program will also have plenty of social and outdoor recreation opportunities as well.

She said they will receive mentorship, professional development and coaching, and a chance to collaborate with other educators. Participants will also have access to an outdoor adventure package that includes free opportunities for recreational activities in the New River Gorge National Park and the various state parks.

Peduto said based on her own experience as an educator in the state, she sees this program being a great success as it helps alleviate the teacher shortage and even elevate the profession as a whole.

“I know as a teacher for 24 years I was never really given a stipend to do anything or tuition assistance, or even dedicated time to collaborate with my cohorts, and I think that’s going to be a big part of this,” she said.

So far, Peduto said they are launching a pilot program for Teachers Ascend in Monongalia and Preston counties.

She said those coming in for the opportunity will get to experience West Virginia for what it’s becoming– a destination.

“Those of us who have lived here a long time know that it is, not only the recreation and the beauty of it, but the warmness of the people, and I think this is really going to be something that sells West Virginia,” said Peduto.

Interested participants can apply by going to WVPEC on the website.